§ The Earl of Kimberleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many licences were issued in each year between 1975 and 1984 to the Northumberland drift net fisheries and how many crews were employed by each licensee.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Belstead)The number of licences issued by the Northumbrian Water Authority in the years 1975 to 1984 is shown below together with the total number of fishermen whose names are endorsed on the licences so that they may help work the nets.
Year No. of Licences No. of fishermen endorsed on licences 1975 136 405 1976 135 390 1977 128 368 1978 126 374 1979 125 375 1980 123 397 1981 118 418 1982 121 356 1983 121 419 1984 121 341 A number of these licences cover the use of inshore nets as well as drift nets.